Governor Macquarie Campsite Plaque

On a crisp autumn afternoon in 1815, Governor Lachlan Macquarie and his entourage found themselves at this very spot. They were journeying to inspect the newly completed road over the Blue Mountains, built by William Cox and his convict laborers. Weary from their travels, they decided to make camp. The Governor Macquarie Campsite Plaque commemorates this significant event. The plaque, erected in 1938 by the Royal Australian Historical Society, stands as a testament to Macquarie’s journey and his role in shaping the early days of the Blue Mountains. Governor Macquarie was captivated by the picturesque scene before him. He noted in his journal “a pretty wooded Plain near a Spring of very good fresh Water.” Inspired by the landscape, he christened the location “Spring-Wood”. This seemingly simple act marked the naming of the first town in the Blue Mountains. The Governor Macquarie Campsite Plaque also acknowledges another layer of history. It notes that William Cox later established a military depot here in 1816, further solidifying the area’s strategic importance. This very ground, marked by the Governor Macquarie Campsite Plaque, witnessed the convergence of exploration, settlement, and military strategy. It reminds us of the vision of Governor Macquarie, who saw beyond the rugged terrain and recognized the potential of this beautiful region. The inscription on the Governor Macquarie Campsite Plaque, however, has been subject to some debate. While it states that Macquarie and his party camped here on April 27, 1815, historical records suggest April 26 as the actual date. Such discrepancies add a layer of intrigue to this historical marker. They invite us to delve deeper into the stories and records of the time.